The competition started back in 1988 and DOC Senior Ranger Community Ray Scrimgeour says the long-running event is popular among the central and upper and central North Island hunting communities, with a strong focus on participation and camaraderie.
“Although the weight or size of the animals is a key feature of the competition, we always like to ensure every hunter has a chance to win, so there are plenty of spot prizes, average weight divisions, and prize draw categories too,” says Ray.
Focusing on pigs and deer taken from the Pureora Forest, the competition is free to enter for any hunter with a current DOC permit to hunt in the area. Free kiwi aversion training for dogs will also be offered at the prizegiving, and DOC urges hunters to take up this valuable opportunity to help protect kiwi in the wild and contribute to the preservation and protection of Pureora Forest.
